City to honour the stars of Rio

CAPETONIANS will get to see local Olympians and Paralympians up close on Monday, when the city honours athletes who competed in Rio.

“Sport has long unified our nation, since the birth of our democracy, and as part of building an inclusive city, all members of the public are encouraged to join in with the festivities in a spirit of unity,” the city said.

Some of the big names attending include 400m Olympic champion Wayde van Niekerk and Paralympic Hilton Langenhoven, who won gold in the T12 long-jump and silver in the T12 200m at Rio.

The celebration will kick off at noon on the Grand Parade, where Premier Helen Zille and Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille will address the crowds. The athletes will then board a bus for a city centre victory procession.

From 12.45 to 1.15pm, the bus will make its way to Green Point, via Darling, Adderley, Wale and Loop streets. Between 1.15 and 2pm, Van Niekerk, Zille, De Lille and MEC for Cultural Affairs and Sport Anroux Marais will again address the crowds at the Green Point Athletics Track.

jan.cronje@inl.co.za